Obviously there is no undertaking a trip like this without some serious outfitting of gear. I started last summer to build up my travel kit, and now, a mere 28 days out, all I need are a few last minute items. So, what will I bring?
First and foremost, I knew that (A) I hate to be cold and (B) it's going to be VERY cold on that mountain. Therefore, I immediately decided that there would be no skimping on the gear to keep me warm. I started with a sleeping bag. It was recommended that trekkers bring a sleeping bag rated to zero or below. If the average person could be warm enough in a zero degree-rated bag, I wanted more, so I researched and found the North Face Dark Star sleeping bag rated to -20 degrees F. Yep, that's 20 below zero. Now, I am sure it won't be THAT cold on the mountain, but I'm ready for it just in case! It's a mummy bag, and as soon as it came in and I crawled inside, I discovered that there just miiiiiggghhht be a small issue with claustrophobia. I'm working on that!
The next most important item to keep warm would be my coat. Again, internet research proved invaluable here, and allowed me to find a product line that was highly recommended with glowing reviews. This line is the First Ascent line by Eddie Bauer. I figured if people wear this line of gear to summit Mt. Everest, then I should be golden. From this line I ordered my base layers (long underwear, if you will), a warm down-like jacket, and an outer shell, plus ski-type pants. I had the opportunity to test all of this out during the winter when I had some hikes in the single digit temps, and it all worked as advertised. I was never cold for a minute! In fact, there was never a time when I needed ALL of my layers, so that is encouraging. The only outer layer that I had some issues with was the gloves. I tried several different kinds, ranging from $12 gloves to $49 down-filled gloves, and none of them seemed to really keep my fingers from feeling cold. It wasn't something that I would consider really bad, but neither did I feel very confident. My research and testing unfortunately extended into the warmer weather season, so the system I have settled on hasn't been cold tested. I ended up buying a pair of mountaineering mittens from North Face and a pair of glove liners to go under them. I also have some of those little chemical heat pack hand and foot warmers that I'll be bringing along. I will probably bring a pair of the gloves that I tested, just in case I need them too.
I suppose the hiking boots should have been first on my list, but like I said, the warmth issue was a big one for me. However, having shoes that will do the job is a very high priority. I knew that this issue wasn't really an internet trial-and-error issue, so I went to Alabama Outdoors, and very luckily met with a hiking expert who helped me find the perfect hiking boot for me. I ended up with a pair of Salomon boots that fit my feet just right. I've had them for a year now, and they've been on my feet for a large percentage of the 700-plus miles I've trained. At first I did have some issues with the boots breaking in, mostly just some aches from stiff shoes, but as of yet (KNOCK WOOD!) I've not had a single blister or any real problem. These Cinderella slippers will be taking me happily up the hill!
Other items that have been purchased and practiced with include hiking poles, backpack with water bladder and hose for drinking, good wool socks, bandana 'buff's, and hats. Of course I have all of the other typical items on the checklist to bring, and this post would get too long if I tried to include it all. Yes, we're bringing good DEET repellant for use on the safari. Probably the most amusing item that we're packing is the "Shewee". You're just going to have to Google that one. :-)
I've read that somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 in 10 people's luggage doesn't arrive to Tanzania with them. This worries me quite a bit, so I will be wearing my hiking boots on the plane, and I will carry the items I'd be most worried about replacing on the plane with me, too. Today, after I finish typing this, I am going to go and take the pile of Kilimanjaro stuff that has been building up in my closet and will lay it all out to take an inventory. I will definitely make a list and take pictures of everything I'm bringing so that if the worst happens and I have to replace some of it, at least I will have a good record of what I'm missing and won't have to rely on a panicked brain to remember it.
I really hope that all of my research and reading has paid off and that I have all of the essential gear for the trip that I need. If you read this and think that I might be forgetting something important, please feel free to share!
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